Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time – Review

I am a big fan of the British science fiction series Doctor Who as evidenced by previous reviews. As a consequence, I was happy as a Dalek with a doomsday bomb to learn that an original Doctor Who game would be available for the iPhone and iPod touch (and for the iPad for $1 more).

Keeping in mind that the game is geared towards British children (who are about as sophisticated as American adults), I have to say that it’s a lot of fun. The plot in brief is that an innocent family (the Joneses) get caught in a time warp that takes them to different places in time and space (in effect, the Doctor must keep up with the Joneses). The Doctor and Amy must fight old enemies (Daleks, Cybermen and Silurians) and solve puzzles to free them.

A fun and simple game, Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time is a series of actions that the Doctor and Amy must perform in a certain order to get through each level (each location, such as an Incan Temple, make up multiple levels). The graphics are superb, making full use of the retina display and the plot actually makes more sense that a few of the television episodes.

The game does have some negatives. For this price, I would expect the virtual joystick to be customizable on either the right or left. Currently, it’s stuck on the left. It also would be nice for the game to have my favorite feature of being able to play one’s audio library in the background.

If you’re a Doctor Who fan, this game is a must. If you aren’t, but you like games like Despicable Me: Minion Mania, this game should be a strong consideration.

Quick Take

Value:High.

Would I Buy Again:Yes.

Learning Curve:Yes.

Who Is It For:Doctor Who fans and those that like puzzles.

What I Like:Excellent graphics. Good story. Easy to play.

What I Don't Like:Customizable controls would be nice, as well as playing the audio library in the background.

Final Statement:The Doctor is on the iPhone, and it's about time.

Read the Developer's Notes:

For the first time on iPhone and iPod, enter the world of Doctor Who in a brand new action puzzle adventure!
An intrepid traveller through time and space and the last of the powerful Time Lords, the Doctor is armed only with his incredible intelligence and his sonic screwdriver. Join him and his human companion, Amy Pond, as they race to save an innocent family attacked by a rogue Dalek and hurtled into the depths of history. Your journey will take you from ancient Incan temples, to the frozen tombs of Telos and a stunning finale on a Dalek ship. Defeat your favourite enemies, solve devious puzzles, and restore peace throughout time!